It was such a powerful ad that until now, I can still vividly remember the baritone voice of the male narrator and the confused and piercing eyes of the boy whose parent violated a rule. I’ve spent the last ten minutes looking for that ad to share it with my millennial readers, but I couldn’t find it.

So ito na lang:

You don’t want your child to smoke? Then don’t smoke. It’s difficult to quit? Well, peer pressure is also difficult! You want your child to value family time? Value family time–enjoy being with your family physically and mentally! You want you child to follow rules? Then don’t break those rules and rationalise your actions (for breaking the rules). Your child is a reflection of who you are.

The saying, “The apple doesn’t fall from the tree” is true. Sure, there are exceptions, but this wouldn’t be a popular saying if it were not true. I can attest to this. Growing up, I was the antithesis of Motherhood, and I never wanted to be Winnie Monsod-esque like her. I would always consciously do the opposite of what she does. But now I would always find myself doing things that Mom used to do (that I swore I wouldn’t do).

Anyway, I was reminded of this because of something that happened recently. I had an altercation with someone. God knows I had been diplomatic, but when the other side realized he was not going to get what he was requesting easily (it was a request because they knew they no longer had a right over it), he started ad hominem, ad misericordian, and ad nauseam arguments. Even stooped down to the “Wag mo akong English-in” retort when left with nothing else to say. Slighted and shaking with anger, I just gave in to what he was “requesting”. But not without telling him that a day will come that he will remember how he acted today, and he will be consumed with shame. I also asked him whether his children would be proud of what he has done, of how rude he has become. In Tagalog already, of course, hehe. It left him remorseful, albeit temporarily. But I’ll stop at that. The point is, reminding a parent of his responsibility to set a good example to his child is powerful.

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We all want our children to be moral and upstanding citizens. I know some party-crazy people who have dramatically shaped up since having children. In fact, I have suddenly become a NO YOSI (and NO VAPES!) and NO BAD WORDS! advocate since having a child, consciously forgetting that I used to think yosi and crispy P*****I**s were the stepping stones en route to coolness.

I’m sharing this because keeping this in mind would make the world a better place. Remembering this makes me step back to check my temper when I’m in a tense situation. Remembering this makes me regret saying malicious things against someone. In short, it nourishes my conscience and makes my heart bigger. It will make me become a better person.